A dedicated training institute for imams will be opened in Strasbourg as part of an agreement between France and Turkey. From January 2013, the “Free Faculty of Islamic Theology” will offer training courses for 30 French students, including women. The project, the first of its kind in France, is being completely financed by Turkey and donations, and will involve spending Euros 2 million to turn a former training centre for postal workers into the imam faculty. Qualifications earned at the institute will be validated by the University
of Istanbul. Since 2008, the Catholic Institute of Paris has also been giving courses for future imams.